Metallized Textile Composition for Multispectral Camouflage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camouflage garments are ineffective against thermal detection as they have high thermal emissivity, making them detectable by infrared imaging systems, and they do not provide simultaneous camouflage in the visible, near infrared, and far infrared spectra without altering their fit, form, or function.

Innovation Solution

A multispectral camouflage process involving the metallization of textiles with a low infrared emissivity metallic layer, followed by calendering or polishing, tarnishing, and the application of additional camouflage dye layers, along with a protective nanocoating to maintain low emissivity and provide visual and thermal camouflage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a metallic layer is deposited onto textile substrate to reflect IR radiation, then thermal detection evasion is improved, but the visual camouflage capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal detection evasionVSAvoidvisual camouflage capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The camouflage system is segmented into multiple functional layers: a metallic layer for thermal reflection, a clear or translucent visual camouflage layer for visual blending, and optionally a protective top layer. Each layer performs its specific function without interfering with the others, allowing simultaneous achievement of thermal evasion and visual camouflage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material structures combining metallic materials (for low IR emissivity) with translucent or clear polymer/coating materials (for visual camouflage). This composite approach allows the garment to exhibit both thermal reflection properties and visual blending properties simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the metallic layer is made thicker to improve IR reflection, then thermal camouflage is improved, but the flexibility and comfort of the garment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIR radiation reflectionVSAvoidgarment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the thickness parameter of the metallic layer to achieve sufficient IR reflection while maintaining garment flexibility. The metallic layer is applied as a thin coating rather than a thick layer, and its emissivity is controlled within specific ranges (0.01-0.10) to balance thermal protection with physical comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The metallic layer is applied as a thin film or coating on the textile substrate, and a flexible protective top layer is applied over it. This thin-film approach maintains the flexibility and drape of the original garment while providing effective thermal camouflage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the metallic layer is polished to smooth out the surface, then IR emissivity is reduced, but the visual appearance becomes more reflective and less camouflaged

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIR emissivityVSAvoidvisual reflectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the thermal control function (metallic layer with controlled emissivity) from the visual control function (translucent or clear camouflage layer). The metallic layer can be polished for low IR emissivity while the separate visual camouflage layer controls the visual appearance, allowing independent optimization of both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A translucent or clear intermediate layer is placed between the polished metallic layer and the external environment. This intermediate layer acts as a mediator that allows the metallic layer to maintain its low emissivity while the intermediate layer provides the visual camouflage, preventing direct visual detection of the reflective metallic surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reflects infrared radiation while maintaining traditional visual camouflage, ensuring the garments remain undetectable in all mentioned spectra without changing their fit or function, providing comprehensive multispectral camouflage.

Implementation Method 1

a low infrared emissivity metallic layer... effectively reflects infrared radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

IR cameras that receive IR radiation from the surface of a body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11566370B2Manufacturing process and composition for multispectral camouflage

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 PEERLESS ADVERSARY LLC

AI summary

A process and composition is provided for preparing substrates with both visual and thermal camouflage. The substrate is metallized through a deposition process and polished or calendered to smooth the metal layer and lower the infrared emissivity of the layer deposited onto the substrate. The metallized substrate is then visually decorated by a tarnish and/or dying process that minimally impacts the infrared emissivity of the metallized substrate.